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For others uninitiated in the details of the murder, Larson opens with enough clues to whet the appetite of curiosity. These passages give much substance to what Marconi was like as a person, the overwhelming odds he faced in bringing his invention to fruition -- to the benefit of us all. Only that the mysterious passengers are somehow related. Crippen.
Larson, bit by bit. I was unfamiliar with the murder until this book. So, I began reading with a completely open mind. As other reviewers have mentioned, while the many technical and business and academic machinations of Marconi's invention of telegraph wireless may seem pointless, you'll be glad you devoted some energy to their reading. The two tales mesh at the end, as the reader has come to suspect they will.I was tempted to give this book only 4-stars because some of the Marconi-related passages are a bit dull compared to the murder mystery so flagrant and alluring. The uninformed reader knows that someone has been murdered -- but not who, not why, not where, not when.
(Well, actually, from the jacket cover, we know that unassuming Dr. Crippen is the suspect -- but having read enough true crime, we even suspend belief on that piece of data).
But I do believe they inform the reader of important material that will not be regretted, temper what might be just another pulp non-fiction murder book with some extra class, and add to the growing crescendo of suspense. The struggles he surmounted, at the cost of any semblance of a happy personal life, are remarkable and show a true single-purpose focus of intention.However, for me, the mystery glue that holds the story together is that surrounding the doings of Dr.
lays the foundation of clues that culminate with the details so hungrily awaited -- interwoven with Mr. The captain of a ship sailing from Europe to Canada notices two unusual passengers -- a small man who is outwardly traveling with a teenage son.
But, with keen eye, the captain discerns that the boy looks more like a young woman in boy's clothing.From there, the historical tale, all from original sources, reverts to the beginning. Marconi's long struggles to convince the public of the functionality and value of his wireless telegraphy.
With those reasons in mind, I aware the book 5 starts, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a historical non-fiction book that reads more like a novel than like a dry recitation of facts.
This book starts slow and gets slower, but the final 150 or so pages is very good. I ended up liking this book, but I would definitely read Larson's other book "Devil in the White City" first. Now that is a great read. Thunderstruck is a good bedtime book.
Love how Mr. Larson keeps two interesting stories going connected only by time and a small incident.Have read Isaac's Storm and Devin in the White City and looking forward to reading another book by Erik Larson
This was the second book I have read by Erik Larson. The Devil in the White City was also great, and probably one of the best books I have ever read. In my opinion, he is a phenomenal writer and holds the reader's interest throughout the book. He writes with a great deal of detail which I like. Not everyone who reads these books likes them as much as I do, but one has to enjoy history and true crime. When I finished his book, I was very depressed as I did not want the journey to end.
I'll echo other reviews -- I had high expectations after reading other Larsen books. But, the text lost steam less than a 1/3 into the book, only to regain energy near the end. At times I felt like the story line had the excitement (and feel) of my college science textbooks 20 y ago --> boring. I'd only give it 2 stars, except he gets one extra star for effort.
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